Many individuals are unhappy with the size or shape of their ears right from childhood. For these types of people, ear reshaping plastic surgery (otoplasty) offers an effective solution to change the shape of their ears. This corrective surgery is popular among both adults and children.
Otoplasty is an outpatient procedure that can help change the size, shape, or orientation of the ears for people who are unhappy with their ear appearance.
If an individual seeks ear pinning or ear reshaping surgery, it is important for them to garner all vital information before arriving at a decision on the procedure.
Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides otoplasty to patients in Houston, Texas, and surrounding locations.
Ideal Candidates
An ideal ear surgery candidate is any person who is in good general health and unhappy about the appearance of their misshapen, oversized, flapping, or asymmetrical ears.
This surgery may also be appropriate for children with deformed or misshapen ears if they are at least five years of age, and the ear cartilage is completely formed and stable. Ear reshaping cosmetic surgery is suitable for teenagers and adults alike.
Traditional vs. Reconstructive Otoplasty
Traditional otoplasty, also known as ear pinning, involves “pinning” back extruding or oversized ears towards the patient’s head. This helps create a more natural ear appearance. Reconstructive ear surgery helps correct severe ear defects that can develop from birth or external trauma.
Surgical Procedure
Otoplasty is undertaken using mild general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. If the ears are prominent, the surgeon may enhance the anti-helical fold inside the ear rim. Simultaneously, they will decrease the size of an enlarged conchal cavity.
The surgeon will usually place incisions behind the ears to enable the scars to remain discreet. Some patients may need ear surgery on the front side. The incisions will be made within the ear folds, even in such cases. The freshly re-shaped cartilage will then be sutured into a desirable position.
After the procedure is complete, the surgeon will seal the incisions with external sutures. The results of this cosmetic surgery procedure usually last for a lifetime.
Ear Reduction Surgery
Some patients are more concerned about the size and shape of their ears rather than their protrusion of the ears from the side of the head. An ear surgery technique, known as “ear reduction” surgery is used to contour oversized ears, providing patients with a more natural appearance.
Earlobe reduction may be a part of ear reduction surgery, and it is an outpatient procedure. In this surgery, the plastic surgeon removes unwanted cartilage and skin and re-shapes the ear to create a smaller, more natural-looking size. Ear reduction surgery offers balance and symmetry to the ears and face and is typically undertaken along with ear pinning.
Recovery
The recovery duration can differ between two patients, depending on whether one or both ears are receiving surgery and the extent of the procedure. Most patients will be able to resume their normal routine or return to the workplace in one week after the surgery.
The patient may need pain medications during the initial few days after the surgery to remain comfortable. The inflammation and bruising will subside significantly from the second week onwards. Female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas, and nearby areas for otoplasty.
For more information on procedures and treatments provided by board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak please call us to schedule a consultation at 713.322.7265 or click here. Offices in Houston, Texas.
